[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43883-43885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17481]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60-Day 13-0950]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-7570 or 
send comments to LeRoy Richardson, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, 
GA 30333 or send an email to [email protected].
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance

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of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) OMB 
No. 0920-0950, expires 11/30/2015)--revision--National Center for 
Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 
242k), as amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on the 
extent and nature of illness and disability; environmental, social and 
other health hazards; and determinants of health of the population of 
the United States.
    The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) have 
been conducted periodically between 1970 and 1994, and continuously 
since 1999 by the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC. Annually, 
approximately 15,411 respondents participate in some aspect of the full 
survey. About 10,000 complete the screener for the survey. About 142 
complete the household interview only. About 5,269 complete both the 
household interview and the MEC examination. Up to 4,000 additional 
persons might participate in tests of procedures, special studies, or 
methodological studies (table 1). Participation in NHANES is completely 
voluntary and confidential. A three-year approval is requested.
    NHANES programs produce descriptive statistics which measure the 
health and nutrition status of the general population. Through the use 
of physical examinations, laboratory tests, and interviews NHANES 
studies the relationship between diet, nutrition and health in a 
representative sample of the United States. NHANES monitors the 
prevalence of chronic conditions and risk factors. NHANES data are used 
to produce national reference data on height, weight, and nutrient 
levels in the blood. Results from more recent NHANES can be compared to 
findings reported from previous surveys to monitor changes in the 
health of the U.S. population over time. NCHS collects personal 
identification information. Participant level data items will include 
basic demographic information, name, address, social security number, 
Medicare number and participant health information to allow for 
linkages to other data sources such as the National Death Index and 
data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
    A variety of agencies sponsor data-collection components on NHANES. 
To keep burden down, NCHS cycles in and out various components. The 
2013-2014 NHANES physical examination includes the following 
components: Oral glucose tolerance test (ages 12 and older), grip 
strength (ages 6 and older), anthropometry (all ages), 24-hour dietary 
recall (all ages), physician's examination (all ages, blood pressure is 
collected here), taste and smell (60 and older), oral health 
examination (ages 1 and older, fluorosis photos ages 6-19), dual X-ray 
absorptiometry (total body composition ages 6-59 and osteoporosis, 
vertebral fractures and aortic calcification ages 40 and older). While 
at the examination center additional interview questions are asked (6 
and older), a physical activity monitor is placed for 7 days of wear 
(ages 3 and older) and instructions are provided for mailing it back, a 
second 24-hour dietary recall (all ages) is scheduled to be conducted 
by phone 3-10 days later, and supplies and directions for a home urine 
collection (ages 20-69 for future research) is explained (this urine is 
mailed back).
    The bio-specimens collected for laboratory tests include urine, 
blood, vaginal and penile swabs, oral rinses and household water 
collection. Serum, plasma and urine specimens are stored for future 
testing if the participant consents.
    For the 2013-14 NHANES some major additions to the laboratory 
component include the following: Additional laboratory tests related to 
tobacco exposure, laboratory content related to fluoride exposure, and 
collection of HPV swabs for males.
    The following major examination or laboratory items, that had been 
included in the 2011-2012 NHANES, were cycled out for NHANES 2013-2014: 
tuberculin skin testing, the respiratory health, and hearing 
examination components, and collection of a genetic specimen for future 
testing.
    Most sections of the NHANES interviews provide self-reported 
information to be used either in concert with specific examination or 
laboratory content, as independent prevalence estimates, or as 
covariates in statistical analysis (e.g., socio-demographic 
characteristics). Some examples include alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, 
sexual behavior, prescription and aspirin use, and indicators of oral, 
bone, reproductive, and mental health. Several interview components 
support the nutrition monitoring objective of NHANES, including 
questions about food security and nutrition program participation, 
dietary supplement use, and weight history/self-image/related behavior. 
In 2014, 24-hour urine will be collected from interested NHANES 
participants who have completed the NHANES examination. This 
information is designed to better understand sodium intake and provide 
a population baseline for use in monitoring trends in sodium intake in 
the future. This special study will be limited to a one-half sample of 
participants ages 20-69. One half of those successfully completing this 
initial collection will be asked to complete second 24-hour urine. In 
addition to sodium, potassium, chloride and creatinine levels will be 
measured. Other analyses of the urine are being considered: Fluoride, 
micro-albumin, phosphorus and iodine.
    NHANES data users include the U.S. Congress; numerous Federal 
agencies such as other branches of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States 
Department of Agriculture; private groups such as the American Heart 
Association; schools of public health; and private businesses. There is 
no cost to respondents other than their time.

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                                        Table 1--Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
      Type of respondent              Form           Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)         hours
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Individuals in households.....  NHANES                    15,411               1             2.4          36,986
                                 Questionnaire.
Individuals in households.....  Special Studies.           4,000               1               3          12,000
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................                                                                            48,986
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-17481 Filed 7-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P